StemCell Therapy

April 2012, Volume 8, Issue 4 Published by AEGIS Communications

By Peter E. Murray, BSc(Hons), PhD | Pamela C. Yelick, PhD | Thomas G.H. Diekwisch, DMD, PhD, PhD

Dentists are enthusiastic about using stem cell therapies and are willing to get training to deliver stem cells to give patients replacement teeth and gums. The Regenerative Endodontic Procedures presentation I made at the American Dental Association conference in Las Vegas was sold out. Every day I am getting letters, e-mails, and telephone calls from people asking me to grow teeth for themselves or their child. A high demand exists for dentists to give their patients dental stem cell therapies. Dentists appear optimistic that stem cells will allow them to deliver more miraculous therapies that will benefit their patients and improve their quality of life.

Some dentists are collecting baby teeth to be used as a source of stem cells, through stem cell banking companies such as BioEden, StemSave, and Store-A-Tooth. The hope is that these dental stem cells could be used to heal the patients when they need it in the future. These services were unthinkable only a few years ago. The next stem cell advance I expect is the availability of regenerative dental kits, which will give dentists the ability to deliver stem cell therapies in their own office. The delivery of stem cell therapies by the dentist is complicated, and these kits will simplify the process and make the treatment more affordable.

Dental researchers have learned how to revitalize tissue in necrotic teeth and regenerate teeth and also grow teeth in mice; it is just a matter of time and money before these therapies replace implants and dentures. The recent face transplants and jaw replacements have taught us how to successfully reconnect tissues to nerves and the blood supply. These advances have allowed surgeons to make someone who was a victim of facial trauma or cancer whole and healthy again. X-ray imaging technologies such as cone beam and micro-CT will add a new dimension to tooth and tissue replacement by allowing the dentist to design replacement body parts to be regenerated by dental stem cells. The goal of the dental stem cell researcher is to give the dentist the power to make every patient whole and healthy. When dental stem cell therapies become routine it will be historic, and the most fantastic time to practice as a dentist.

Dental stem cells are adult stem cells present in both baby (deciduous) teeth, and adult teeth. The stem cells consist of dental mesenchymal stem cells and dental epithelial cells. Dental epithelial cells give rise to enamel, while dental mesenchymal stem cells give rise to all of the other tissues of the tooth, including pulp, dentin, cementum, periodontal ligament, and surrounding alveolar bone. Mesenchymal cells are derived from ectomesenchymal neural crest cells, which provide teeth with their unique characteristics as compared to mesodermal cell-derived bone-forming stem cells. Dental stem cells have been characterized from a variety of tooth tissues, including the pulp, periodontal ligament tissues, specialized immature tooth-rootderived stem cells of the papilla (SCAP), and the surrounding alveolar bone. Although erupted teeth no longer have enamel-progenitor stem cells present, very immature unerupted teeth have soft enamel organ tissues that are rich in enamel-forming epithelial progenitor cells and blood vessels.

Harvested dental stem cell populations are quite heterogeneous, which can be both an asset and a liability. There is no reliable way to efficiently generate large numbers of pure dental stem cell populations in culture at the present time, and in fact, these populations change over time in culture, indicating that they prefer not to exist as homogeneous stem cell populations.

Dental stem cells are a valuable autologous adult stem cell source, meaning that they can be used in the same individual without the danger of an immune rejection response, with potential use for regenerative medicine approaches. They are multipotent, meaning that they can give rise to a limited number of tissue types, including cartilage, bone, adipose tissue, neural, and tooth tissues. The ability to harvest cells from extracted wisdom teeth and supernumerary teeth that would otherwise be discarded as waste makes these tissues unique and valuable stem cell sources. The successful demonstration that harvested dental stem cells can be cryopreserved for extended periods of time and subsequently thawed and differentiated into a variety of tissues, including bone, dentin, nerve, and adipose tissues, has fueled the tooth-banking industry for eventual use of cryopreserved dental stem cells in regenerative medicine applications.

What are the potential clinically relevant applications for dental stem cells? These cells are now being tested for their potential use in a variety of clinical applications, ranging from use as immuno-modulatory agents and as regenerative stem cells that can facilitate regeneration of cardiac tissues, bone, and even neuronal tissues. Human mesenchymal stem cells, including dental stem cells, have been tested for spinal cord regeneration in animal models. While a few dental stem cell therapies have been conducted in humans, the vast majority of these studies have been performed in animal models, making their utility in humans uncertain at the present time. One approach that holds great promise is to generate induced stem cells (iSCs) from harvested human dental stem cells. This approach, which reprograms dental stem cells into an embryonic state, thereby expanding their potential to differentiate into a much wider range of tissue types, has tremendous appeal for autologous tissue engineering applications. Barriers to this approach include the fact that iSC reprogramming efficiency is extremely low at the present time, and largely relies on the use of retroviruses, which have carcinogenic potential. Another useful application is to study dental stem cells harvested from individuals exhibiting a variety of craniofacial skeletal and dental syndromes in order to increase our understanding of the molecular nature of diseases ranging from cleidocranial dysplasia syndrome (CCD), Sensenbrenner syndrome, and Treacher-Collins syndrome. In this way, targeted therapies may eventually be devised to treat and/or prevent some of these diseases.

One of the most promising uses for harvested dental stem cells is for applications in regenerative dentistry. Dental tissue-engineering approaches combining dental stem cells, biodegradable and biocompatible scaffolds, cell sheet technologies, and exogenous growth factors are being used to devise methods to reliably regenerate dental tissues including pulp, periodontal tissues, alveolar bone, dentin, enamel, and salivary glands. Although not currently available, these approaches may one day be used as biological alternatives to the synthetic materials currently used.

Teeth are unique in that they provide readily accessible sources of adult stem cells for tissue regeneration and repair. Similar to other organs in the human body, adult teeth and their surrounding tissues contain mixed populations of cells, including differentiated cells as well as a number of adult stem cells (progenitor cells). While other organs in the body are essential throughout life, teeth are replaced at least once when the deciduous dentition is lost in favor of the permanent dentition. These deciduous teeth provide an easily accessible source of stem cells. Wisdom teeth form a second readily available source of stem cells in adolescent jaws. Stem cells from teeth may not only be useful for the regeneration of dental tissues but also contribute to the regeneration of non-dental organs, such as the liver or heart.

Studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that periodontal stem cells are capable of completely renewing a periodontal ligament. Studies in humans using stem cells to aid periodontal therapy are currently underway, outside of the United States. Alveolar bone regeneration is an area that could still significantly benefit from innovative stem cell and tissue regeneration approaches.

Much progress has been made indicating that pulp stem cells are capable of forming pulp-like tissues and some of these approaches are useful to rescue pulp tissue. Clinically, replacement of an entire pulp is still challenging because of limited access of regenerated tissues to blood vessels and nutrients at the root apex.

Stem cells in conjunction with growth factors have resulted in successful new bone formation and regeneration in small defects. Future advances in stem cell research will thus focus on the regeneration of larger defects and the regeneration of functional bone.

Scientifically, the regeneration of whole teeth de novo remains the most attractive challenge in dental tissue regeneration. Coaxing dental stem cells into initiating developmental cascades to form complex tooth organs with enamel, dentin, and roots would be both scientifically and clinically attractive. So far, progress has been based on the ability of tooth germ-derived tissues to self-organize and reassemble into a developing tooth organ. Another group of scientists has advanced the field by identifying factors responsible for supernumerary teeth, prompting the hope that these factors might reveal the inductive code required to trigger new tooth formation.

Peter E. Murray, BSc(Hons), PhD | Dr. Murray is a postgraduate research administrator and professor in the Department of Endodontics, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University.

Pamela C. Yelick, PhD | Dr. Yelick is a professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, in the Sackler Genetics and Cell Molecular and Developmental Biology programs, and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Tufts University.

Thomas G.H. Diekwisch, DMD, PhD, PhD | Dr. Diekwisch is the Allan G. Brodie Endowed Chair for Orthodontic Research, head of the Department of Oral Biology, and director of the Brodie Laboratory for Craniofacial Genetics as well as a professor of Anatomy/Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Orthodontics, Periodontics at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry.

Read more here:
What is the Latest Thinking in Dental Stem Cell Research ...

Early studies

Maintenance of dental pulp function is critical for the homeostasis of teeth; loss of dental pulp is often followed by tooth fracture and/or periapical disease and, finally, loss of teeth. When dental pulp is infected it is difficult for the immune system to eradicate the infection, due to lack of blood supply to the pulp. Partially removing the infected pulp, termed partial pulpectomy, has proved to be ineffective, as infecting organizms may be left behind (Huang et al., 2009a, 2009b). Thus infection of adult pulp by trauma or caries often necessitates root canal therapy, in which the entire pulp is removed and the pulp cavity disinfected and filled with an artificial material. Biological alternatives to root canal therapy have inspired regenerative endodontics, whereby the diseased or necrotic pulp tissues are removed and replaced with regenerated pulp tissue, capable of revitalizing teeth (Sun et al., 2011). For recent reviews of dental pulp regeneration, the reader is referred to a number of excellent papers (Sloan and Smith, 2007; Sun et al., 2011; Huang, 2011; Nakashima and Iohara, 2011).

Whilst the volume of mature pulp tissue is very small (ca. 10100l) it is a difficult task to engineer and regenerate this tissue, due to its anatomical location, unique microstructure with different cell types and complex innervations, specific location of dentin and the highly organized structure of dentinal tubules (Huang et al., 2009a, 2009b). Although dental pulp tissue engineering was investigated in the late 1990s (Mooney et al., 1996; Bohl et al., 1998), it was the identification of dental pulp stem cells capable of generating dentin that rendered dentin pulp regeneration possible (Gronthos et al., 2000).

Human DPSCs were transplanted in conjunction with hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate (HA/TCP) powder into immunocompromised mice. After 6weeks DPSCs generated a dentin-like structure lining the surfaces of the HA/TCP particles, comprised of a highly ordered collagenous matrix deposited perpendicular to the odontoblast-like layer (Gronthos et al., 2000). The aligned odontoblast-like cells expressed the dentin-specific protein DSPP and extended as tubular structures within newly generated dentin. The collagen matrix mimicked the structure of primary dentin with ordered perpendicular fibres, rather than reparative dentin, which usually consists of a disorganized matrix. In addition, the DPSC transplants contained a fibrous tissue containing blood vessels, similar to the arrangement found in the dentinpulp complex in normal human teeth. To assess the self-renewal characteristics of DPSCs, Gronthos et al. (2002) re-isolated stromal-like cells from the 3month-old primary DPSC transplants. After in vitro expansion, human cells were re-transplanted into immunocompromised mice. These secondary transplants produced human alu-positive odontoblasts within a dentinpulp-like complex containing organized collagen fibres, thus showing that the human DPSCs were able to self-renew in vivo.

In these early studies, transplantation of expanded DPSCs formed a dentinpulp complex and transplantation of expanded bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) formed ectopic bone. The tissue regeneration capability of BMMSCs and DPSCs was further examined by transplantation using human dentin as a carrier (Batouli et al., 2003). Although BMMSCs failed to form mineralized tissue on the surface of dentin or a pulp-like connective tissue, DPSCs generated a reparative dentin-like structure directly on the surface of human dentin, indicating the possibility of using DPSCs in tooth repair.

This isolation and characterization of dental pulp stem cells, combined with increased understanding of tooth development, has led to two major strategies in tooth tissue engineering: in vivo transplantation of stem cells and in vitro culture of stem cells on biodegradable scaffolds and subsequent transplantation in vivo (Galler et al., 2011). Both strategies have found application in pulp regeneration utilizing DPSCs.

A number of studies have indicated that the DPSCs may be used to regenerate partially lost pulp and dentin. Nakashima's group were able to demonstrate partial regeneration of pulp using porcine pulp cells, cultured as a three-dimensional (3D) pellet (Iohara et al., 2004). The expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) confirmed the differentiation of DPSCs into odontoblasts. Additionally, autogenous transplantation of a bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) treated pellet culture onto the amputated pulp of a dog stimulated reparative dentin formation. Similar results were achieved with a 3D pellet culture system of pulp cells electrotransfected with growth/differentiation factor 11 (Gdf11) (Nakashima and Akamine, 2005).

Iohara et al. (2006) continued their investigations of dental pulp regeneration by isolating a side population (SP) of cells from dental pulp based on the efflux of fluorescent dye Hoechst 33342. These SP cells, derived from porcine dental pulp, differentiated into odontoblasts in response to BMP-2. Furthermore, autogenous transplantation of BMP-2-treated canine SP cells induced osteodentin formation in surgically created defects on amputated canine dental pulp Two further fractions of SP cells were isolated from canine dental pulp: CD31/CD146 and CD31+/CD146+ SP cells were separately cultured as pellets with collagen type I and collagen type III and autogenously transplanted into amputated pulps (Iohara et al., 2009). Pulp-derived CD31/CD146 SP cells induced a strong vasculogenic response; cells differentiated into odontoblasts only at the periphery of dentin and thus produced a physiologically normal regenerated pulp tissue.

Complete pulp regeneration with neurogenesis and vasculogenesis occurred in an adult canine model of pulpectomy with autogenous transplantation of pulp CD105+ SP cells with stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) (Iohara et al., 2011). Side population CD105+ cells formed pulp-like tissue by day 14 when transplanted with SDF-1 and induced complete apical closure, whereas transplantation of CD105+ cells alone or SDF-1 alone yielded less pulp. This seminal work by Nakashima's group was the first demonstration of complete in situ pulp regeneration.

A recent study from this group has compared the biological characteristics and regenerative potentials of dental pulp, bone marrow and adipose stem cells taken from the same individual (Ishizaka et al., 2012). In this investigation SP cells were further sub-fractionated into CD31 cells, previously shown to stimulate angiogenesis/vasculogenesis in vitro and in vivo (Iohara et al., 2008). The differential potentials of pulp regeneration of the three SP fractions were determined using an in vivo model previously described (Huang, 2011), whereby the three CD31 SP populations were injected into porcine tooth root fragments prior to transplantation into immunocompromised mice. Whilst pulp-like tissue was observed after transplantation of all three SP fractions, the total volume of regenerated tissue was significantly higher with the dental pulp SP and the density of vasculature and innervations was also higher (Ishizaka et al., 2012).

Visit link:
Dental Pulp Stem Cells: Function, Isolation and ...

The restorative properties of stem cells:

Stem cells are unique because they drive the natural healing process throughout your life. Stem cells are different from other cells in the body because they regenerate and produce specialized cell types. They heal and restore skin, bones, cartilage, muscles, nerves and other tissues when injured.

As a result, amazing new medical treatments are being developed to treat a range of diseases contemporary medicine currently deems difficult or impossible to treat. Among them are:

While stem cells can be found in most tissues of the body, they are usually buried deep, are few in number and are similar in appearance to surrounding cells. With the discovery of stem cells in teeth, an accessible and available source of stem cells has been identified.

The tooth is natures safe for these valuable stem cells, and there is an abundance of these cells in baby teeth, wisdom teeth and permanent teeth. The stem cells contained within teeth are capable of replicating themselves and can be readily recovered at the time of a planned dental procedure. Living stem cells found within extracted teeth were routinely discarded every day, but now, with the knowledge from recent medical research, your Doctor provides you the opportunity to save these cells for future use in developing medical treatments for your family.

Aside from being the most convenient stem cells to access, dental stem cells have significant medical benefits in the development of new medical therapies. Using ones own stem cells for medical treatment means a much lower risk of rejection by the body and decreases the need for powerful drugs that weaken the immune system, both of which are negative but typical realities that come into play when tissues or cells from a donor are used to treat patients.

Further, the stem cells from teeth have been observed in research studies to be among the most powerful stem cells in the human body. Stem cells from teeth replicate at a faster rate and for a longer period of time than do stem cells harvested from other tissues of the body.

Stem cells in the human body age over time and their regenerative abilities slow down later in life. The earlier in life that your familys stem cells are secured, the more valuable they will be when they are needed most.

Accessible The stem cells contained within teeth are recovered at the time of a planned procedure: Extraction of wisdom teeth, baby teeth or other healthy permanent teeth.

Affordable when compared with other methods of acquiring and preserving life saving stem cells: Peripheral blood, Bone Marrow, Cord blood etc, recovering Stem Cells from teeth is the most affordable and least invasive.

Read the original:
Stem Cells Forest Hills NY, Stem Cells From Teeth

Scanning through the headlines, tuning in to morning television shows, stem cells are repeatedly the topic of discussion a discussion that increasingly includes primary teeth.

The discovery of stem cells in dental pulp has led to much research and predictions about their potential uses. Although the full possibilities of tooth-derived stem cells are not yet known, some researchers believe that they could one day be valuable for regenerating dental tissues and possibly other tissues as well.

Pamela Robey, Ph.D., chief, Craniofacial and Skeletal Diseases Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, says that because no one knows for certain what the full possibilities are for the cells isolated from dental pulp, nor can they accurately predict if or when they'll be used in clinical settings, patients and professionals need to make informed decisions.

"What we do know," she said, "is the cells from dental pulp in baby or wisdom teeth have the ability to make dentin and pulp and they might have the ability to make bone but right now that's all we really know for sure."

Because "the data for other things is not hard yet, we can't say how useful for the future they'll be," she said.

Dr. Jeremy Mao, a professor of dental medicine and director of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory at Columbia University, believes that dental stem cells and related bioengineering technologies will transform dentistry in a magnitude that is far greater than amalgam and dental implants.

"Some of the technologies may happen 10 years down the road but others may happen within 10 years," he predicted.

Presently, there are no human trials taking place with the dental postnatal cells and there are no clinical applications available. There also is no central place for dentists or patients to read about the latest in dental stem cell research. Dr. Robey advised anyone hearing claims of new evidence and dental stem cells to consult the Web site http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

See the article here:
Dental Stem Cell Potential Explored with Dental Pulp Stem ...

RAS AL KHAIMAH, United Arab Emirates, June 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --Grace Century's bio banking project, Provia Laboratories, LLC has reported a record enrollment quarter for their Store-a-Tooth cryogenic storage service of dental stem cells.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150625/225698

Provia posted a 47% increase in enrollments, month to date and quarter over quarter, compared to last year.

Store-a-Tooth technology enables dental stem cells to be stored and used in future years to take advantage of future stem cell-therapies being researched for conditions such as cardiovascular disorders, type 1 diabetes and muscular dystrophy.

The impressive results are attributed to a dramatic increase in the awareness and interest of the potential benefits of Store-a-Tooth technology, seen during 2015. In particular, a markedly enhanced level of online activity and research on Store-a-Tooth has significantly boosted enrollments. In addition, continued International expansion and improved marketing tools within partner dental offices have contributed to the recent growth. Multiple markets are expanding, further validating Provia's original business model.

Grace Century's CEO, Scott Wolf, comments, "With Provia's consistent success, we are clearly seeing the future in the field of stem cell storage technology. Recent capital commitments and advancing negotiations with institutional sources give us confidence in a bright future for Store-a-Tooth technology and we are tentatively predicting further double or even triple-digit growth for 2016."

Howard Greenman, CEO of Provia added, "Our recent performance is a testament to the commitment of our team and the company's vision. We are proud to continue developing our current network of healthcare providers who help raise awareness of our technology in their communities. This network is the building block for building awareness of our important technology."

About Grace Century, FZ LLC Grace Century FZ LLC is an International research and private equity consultancy located in Ras Al Khaimah, (north of Dubai) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Grace Century specializes in "game-changing" life science and health related private equity projects.

For portfolio or company information please email info@gracecentury.com or call +971 (0)7 206 8851

Please direct all media enquiries to info@bigwheel.me or call +971 (0)52 712 1777

Originally posted here:
Provia Laboratories Announces Record Enrollment for Store ...

The restorative properties of stem cells:

Stem cells are unique because they drive the natural healing process throughout your life. Stem cells are different from other cells in the body because they regenerate and produce specialized cell types. They heal and restore skin, bones, cartilage, muscles, nerves and other tissues when injured.

As a result, amazing new medical treatments are being developed to treat a range of diseases contemporary medicine currently deems difficult or impossible to treat. Among them are:

While stem cells can be found in most tissues of the body, they are usually buried deep, are few in number and are similar in appearance to surrounding cells. With the discovery of stem cells in teeth, an accessible and available source of stem cells has been identified.

The tooth is natures safe for these valuable stem cells, and there is an abundance of these cells in baby teeth, wisdom teeth and permanent teeth. The stem cells contained within teeth are capable of replicating themselves and can be readily recovered at the time of a planned dental procedure. Living stem cells found within extracted teeth were routinely discarded every day, but now, with the knowledge from recent medical research, your Doctor provides you the opportunity to save these cells for future use in developing medical treatments for your family.

Aside from being the most convenient stem cells to access, dental stem cells have significant medical benefits in the development of new medical therapies. Using ones own stem cells for medical treatment means a much lower risk of rejection by the body and decreases the need for powerful drugs that weaken the immune system, both of which are negative but typical realities that come into play when tissues or cells from a donor are used to treat patients.

Further, the stem cells from teeth have been observed in research studies to be among the most powerful stem cells in the human body. Stem cells from teeth replicate at a faster rate and for a longer period of time than do stem cells harvested from other tissues of the body.

Stem cells in the human body age over time and their regenerative abilities slow down later in life. The earlier in life that your familys stem cells are secured, the more valuable they will be when they are needed most.

Accessible The stem cells contained within teeth are recovered at the time of a planned procedure: Extraction of wisdom teeth, baby teeth or other healthy permanent teeth.

Affordable when compared with other methods of acquiring and preserving life saving stem cells: Peripheral blood, Bone Marrow, Cord blood etc, recovering Stem Cells from teeth is the most affordable and least invasive.

See the original post:
Stem Cells Columbia MD, Stem Cells From Teeth

Characterization of isolated human SHEDs and DPSCs for use in transplantation studies. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the SHEDs and DPSCs expressed a set of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) markers (i.e., CD90, CD73, and CD105), but not endothelial/hematopoietic markers (i.e., CD34, CD45, CD11b/c, and HLA-DR) (Table 1). Like human BMSCs, both the SHEDs and DPSCs exhibited adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic differentiation as described previously (refs. 16, 17, and data not shown). The majority of SHEDs and DPSCs coexpressed several neural lineage markers: nestin (neural stem cells), doublecortin (DCX; neuronal progenitor cells), III-tubulin (early neuronal cells), NeuN (mature neurons), GFAP (neural stem cells and astrocytes), S-100 (Schwann cells), and A2B5 and CNPase (oligodendrocyte progenitor cells), but not adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) or myelin basic protein (MBP) (mature oligodendrocytes) (Figure 1A and Table 1). This expression profile was confirmed by immunohistochemical analyses (Figure 1B).

Characterization of the SHEDs and DPSCs used for transplantation. (A) Flow cytometry analysis of the neural cell lineage markers expressed in SHEDs. Note that most of the SHEDs and DPSCs coexpressed neural stem and multiple progenitor markers, but not mature oligodendrocytes (APC and MBP). (B) Confocal images showing SHEDs coexpressed nestin, GFAP, and DCX. SHEDs also expressed markers for oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (A2B5 and CNPase), but not for mature oligodendrocytes (APC and MBP). Scale bar: 10 m. (C) Real-time RT-PCR analysis of the expression of neurotrophic factors. Results are expressed as fold increase compared with the level expressed in skin fibroblasts. Data represent the average measurements for each cell type from 3 independent donors. This set of experiments was repeated twice and yielded similar results. Data represent the mean SEM. *P < 0.01 compared with BMSCs and fibroblasts (Fbs).

Flow cytometry of stem cells from humans

Next, we examined the expression of representative neurotrophic factors by real-time PCR. Both the SHEDs and DPSCs expressed glial cellderived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) at more than 3 to 5 times the levels expressed by skin-derived fibroblasts or BMSCs (Figure 1C).

We further characterized the transcriptomes of SHEDs and BMSCs by cDNA microarray analysis. This gene expression analysis revealed a 2.0-fold difference in the expression of 3,318 of 41,078 genes between SHEDs and BMSCs. Of these, 1,718 genes were expressed at higher levels in the SHEDs and 1,593 genes were expressed at lower levels (data not shown). The top 30 genes showing higher expression in the SHEDs were in the following ontology categories: extracellular and cell surface region, cell proliferation, and tissue/embryonic development (Table 2).

Functional gene classification in SHEDs versus BMSCs

SHEDs and DPSCs promoted locomotor recovery after SCI. To compare the neuroregenerative activities of human SHEDs and DPSCs with those of human BMSCs and human skin fibroblasts, we transplanted the cells into the completely transected SCs, as described in Methods, and evaluated locomotion recovery using the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan locomotor rating scale (BBB scale) (24). Remarkably, the animals that received SHEDs or DPSCs exhibited a significantly higher BBB score during the entire observation period, compared with BMSC-transplanted, fibroblast-transplanted, or PBS-injected control rats (Figure 2A). Importantly, their superior recoveries were evident soon after the operation, during the acute phase of SCI. After the recovery period (5 weeks after the operation), the rats that had received SHEDs were able to move 3 joints of hind limb coordinately and walk without weight support (P < 0.01; Supplemental Videos 1 and 2), while the BMSC- or fibroblast-transplanted rats exhibited only subtle movements of 12 joints. These results demonstrate that the transplantation of SHEDs or DPSCs during the acute phase of SCI significantly improved the recovery of hind limb locomotor function. Since the level of recovery was similar in the SHED- and DPSC-transplanted rats, we focused on the phenotypical examination of SHED-transplanted rats to elucidate how tooth-derived stem cells promoted the regeneration of the completely transected rat SC.

Engrafted SHEDs promote functional recovery of the completely transected SC. (A) Time course of functional recovery of hind limbs after complete transection of the SC. A total of 1 106 SHEDs, DPSCs, BMSCs, or fibroblasts were transplanted into the SCI immediately after transection. Data represent the mean SEM. **P < 0.001, *P < 0.01 compared with SCI models injected with PBS. (BD) Representative images (B and C) and quantification (D) of NF-Mpositive nerve fibers in sagittal sections of a completely transected SC, at 8 weeks after SCI. Dashed lines outline the SC. Insets are magnified images of boxed areas in B and C. (D) Nerve fiber quantification, representing the average of 3 experiments performed under the same conditions. The x axis indicates specific locations along the rostrocaudal axis of the SC (3 mm rostral and caudal to the epicenter), and y axis indicates the percentage of NF-Mpositive fibers compared with that of the sham-operated SCs at the ninth thoracic spinal vertebrate (Th9) level. Data represent the mean SEM. *P < 0.05 compared with SCI models injected with PBS. Scale bars: 100 m and inset 20 m (B) and 50 m (C). Asterisks in B and C indicate the epicenter of the lesion.

SHEDs regenerated the transected corticospinal tract and raphespinal serotonergic axons. To examine whether engrafted SHEDs affect the preservation of neurofilaments, we performed immunohistochemical analyses with an antineurofilament M (NF-M) mAb, 8 weeks after transection. Compared with the PBS-treated control SCs, the SHED-transplanted SCs exhibited greater preservation of NF-positive axons from 3 mm rostral to 3 mm caudal to the transected lesion site (Figure 2, B and C; asterisk indicates epicenter). The percentages of NF-positive axons in the epicenter of the SHED-transplanted and control SCs were 35.8% 13.0% and 8.7% 3.4%, respectively, relative to sham-treated SCs (Figure 2D).

Regeneration of both the corticospinal tract (CST) and the descending serotonergic raphespinal axons is important for the recovery of hind limb locomotor function in rat SCI. We therefore examined whether these axons had extended beyond the epicenter in the SHED-transplanted SCs. The CST axons were traced with the anterograde tracer biotinylated dextran amine (BDA), which was injected into the sensorimotor cortex. The serotonergic raphespinal axons were immunohistochemically detected by a mAb that specifically reacts with serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]), which is synthesized within the brain stem. We found that both BDA- and 5-HTpositive fibers extended as far as 3 mm caudal to the epicenter in the SHED-transplanted but not the control group (Figures 3 and 4). Furthermore, some BDA- and 5-HTpositive boutons could be seen apposed to neurons in the caudal stump (Figure 3D and Figure 4C), suggesting that the regenerated axons had established new neural connections. Notably, although the number of descending axons extending beyond the epicenter was small, we observed many of them penetrating the scar tissue of the rostral stump (Figure 3A and Figure 4A). The percentages of 5-HTpositive axons of the SHED-transplanted SCs at 1 and 3 mm rostral to the epicenter were 58.9% 3.9% and 78.3% 7.4% relative to sham-treated SC, respectively (Figure 4D). These results demonstrate that the engrafted SHEDs promoted the recovery of hind limb locomotion via the preservation and regeneration of transected axons, even in the microenvironment of the damaged CNS.

See the article here:
Human Dental Pulp-Derived Stem Cells Promote Locomotor ...

Abstract Introduction

Interest in the use of dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) to enhance neurological recovery following stroke and traumatic injury is increasing following successful pre-clinical studies. A murine model of autologous neural stem cell transplantation would be useful for further pre-clinical investigation of the underlying mechanisms. However, while human-derived DPSC have been well characterised, the neurogenic potential of murine DPSC (mDPSC) has been largely neglected. In this study we demonstrate neuronal differentiation of DPSC from murine incisors in vitro.

mDPSC were cultured under neuroinductive conditions and assessed for neuronal and glial markers and electrophysiological functional maturation.

mDPSC developed a neuronal morphology and high expression of neural markers nestin, III-tubulin and GFAP. Neurofilament M and S100 were found in lower abundance. Differentiated cells also expressed protein markers for cholinergic, GABAergic and glutaminergic neurons, indicating a mixture of central and peripheral nervous system cell types. Intracellular electrophysiological analysis revealed the presence of voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channels in a majority of cells with neuronal morphology. No voltage-gated Na+ or K+ currents were found and the cultures did not support spontaneous action potentials. Neuronal-like networks expressed the gap junction protein, connexin 43 but this was not associated with dye coupling between adjacent cells after injection of the low-molecular weight tracers Lucifer yellow or Neurobiotin. This indicated that the connexin proteins were not forming traditional gap junction channels.

The data presented support the differentiation of mDPSC into immature neuronal-like networks.

Since their discovery as a source of multipotent adult human stem cells by Gronthos et al.[1], numerous groups have confirmed the potential of dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) to differentiate into multiple neural crest-lineage cell types [2-4]. Previous studies in our laboratory and others have demonstrated the neural potential of human-derived DPSC in vitro[2,5] and in vivo[6-8]. Human DPSC were found to express neural markers following injection into the rat and embryonic chick brain [7,8] and also induced endogenous responses through paracrine effects [6,9,10]. In the chick embryo, human DPSC induced neuroplasticity of the highly structured trigeminal ganglion [6] and promoted the recruitment, proliferation and neural differentiation of endogenous precursors in the mouse brain [9]. Interestingly, pre-differentiation of human DPSC promoted greater cell survival and neural differentiation following rat cortical lesion [7], which could be reflected therapeutically with greater functional recovery.

Given their potential for autologous transplantation and therapeutic applications in dental engineering and neurological disease treatment, the focus to date has been on applications for human-derived DPSC. The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying recovery in pre-clinical studies of varied animal models of disease are poorly understood. Xenotransplantation is often problematic (that is, human DPSC injected into rodents) due to immune rejection. The mouse is a fundamentally important animal model in relation to understanding human disease, pre-clinical testing, and transgenic potential to gain better knowledge of mechanisms of action. A murine model of autologous DPSC transplantation would, therefore, be of great utility.

Like their human counterparts, rodent DPSC show neural crest multipotentiality [11-14]. However, a distinction has emerged between DPSC from murine molar and incisor teeth. While they both possess osteo-dentin and adipocyte differentiation potential, erupted murine molars, but not incisors, have been found to have chondrocytic potential [11-13,15]. Janebodin et al. [13] have described the expression of neuronal, oligodendrocyte and glial markers after in vitro differentiation of murine molar DPSC. To the best of our knowledge neural differentiation of incisor murine DPSC (mDPSC) has not yet been attempted and could offer an easily accessible source of DPSC for pre-clinical studies. Work by two other groups suggests that rodent incisor DPSC do have neurogenic potential through the successful formation of cells with neuronal-like multipolar morphology that expressed neuronal markers in vitro[16,17] and the promotion of nerve regeneration in vivo using rat incisor DPSC [18]. Neither study reported electrophysiological properties of the rat DPSC after neuronal differentiation.

Herein, we report the in vitro neuronal development of DPSC isolated from murine incisors using a neural differentiation methodology found to generate functional neurons from human DPSC [5]. We found species-specific differences between human and mouse cells and demonstrated that mDPSC develop characteristics suggesting their differentiation into immature neural-like cells. Unique to our study is the interrogation of the neuronal characteristics of mDPSC-derived cells using electrophysiological methodologies, which is fundamental to understanding neuronal function.

Incisors from adult BalbC mice were removed and their pulp exposed to enzymatic digestion with 3 mg/mL collagenase type I and 4 mg/mL dispase in PBS for one to two hours at 37C with 5% CO2. The resulting solution was centrifuged at 200g for five minutes, the supernatant and enzymes removed and the remaining cells cultured in mesenchymal stem cell medium [19] containing alpha-modified Eagles medium (-MEM) supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS, Invitrogen, Mulgrave, Victoria, Australia), 1x GlutaMAX (Gibco, Mulgrave, Victoria, Australia), 100 M L-ascorbate-2-phosphate (Wako, Neuss, Germany), 50 U/mL penicillin and 50 g/mL streptomycin (Invitrogen), and dental pulp stem cells were allowed to adhere to the plastic base. Floating debris could subsequently be removed.

More here:
Neurogenic potential of dental pulp stem cells isolated ...

The restorative properties of stem cells:

Stem cells are unique because they drive the natural healing process throughout your life. Stem cells are different from other cells in the body because they regenerate and produce specialized cell types. They heal and restore skin, bones, cartilage, muscles, nerves and other tissues when injured.

As a result, amazing new medical treatments are being developed to treat a range of diseases contemporary medicine currently deems difficult or impossible to treat. Among them are:

While stem cells can be found in most tissues of the body, they are usually buried deep, are few in number and are similar in appearance to surrounding cells. With the discovery of stem cells in teeth, an accessible and available source of stem cells has been identified.

The tooth is natures safe for these valuable stem cells, and there is an abundance of these cells in baby teeth, wisdom teeth and permanent teeth. The stem cells contained within teeth are capable of replicating themselves and can be readily recovered at the time of a planned dental procedure. Living stem cells found within extracted teeth were routinely discarded every day, but now, with the knowledge from recent medical research, your Doctor provides you the opportunity to save these cells for future use in developing medical treatments for your family.

Aside from being the most convenient stem cells to access, dental stem cells have significant medical benefits in the development of new medical therapies. Using ones own stem cells for medical treatment means a much lower risk of rejection by the body and decreases the need for powerful drugs that weaken the immune system, both of which are negative but typical realities that come into play when tissues or cells from a donor are used to treat patients.

Further, the stem cells from teeth have been observed in research studies to be among the most powerful stem cells in the human body. Stem cells from teeth replicate at a faster rate and for a longer period of time than do stem cells harvested from other tissues of the body.

Stem cells in the human body age over time and their regenerative abilities slow down later in life. The earlier in life that your familys stem cells are secured, the more valuable they will be when they are needed most.

Accessible The stem cells contained within teeth are recovered at the time of a planned procedure: Extraction of wisdom teeth, baby teeth or other healthy permanent teeth.

Affordable when compared with other methods of acquiring and preserving life saving stem cells: Peripheral blood, Bone Marrow, Cord blood etc, recovering Stem Cells from teeth is the most affordable and least invasive.

Read this article:
Stem Cells Santa Monica CA, Stem Cells From Teeth

Abstract

Stem cells are primitive cells that can differentiate and regenerate organs in different parts of the body such as heart, bones, muscles and nervous system. This has been a field of great clinical interest with immense possibilities of using the stem cells in regeneration of human organ those are damaged due to disease, developmental defects and accident. The knowledge of stem cell technology is increasing quickly in all medical specialties and in dental field too. Stem cells of dental origin appears to hold the key to various cell-based therapies in regenerative medicine, but most avenues are in experimental stages and many procedures are undergoing standardization and validation. Long-term preservation of SHED cells or DPSC is becoming a popular consideration, similar to the banking of umbilical cord blood. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are the adult multipotent cells that reside in the cell rich zone of the dental pulp. The multipotent nature of these DPSCs may be utilized in both dental and medical applications. A systematic review of the literature was performed using various internet based search engines (PubMed, Medline Plus, Cochrane, Medknow, Ebsco, Science Direct, Hinari, WebMD, IndMed, Embase) using keywords like dental pulp stem cells, regeneration, medical applications, tissue engineering. DPSCs appears to be a promising innovation for the re-growth of tissues however, long term clinical studies need to be carried out that could establish some authentic guidelines in this perspective.

KEYWORDS: Dental pulp stem cells, myocardial infarction, regenerative therapy, tissue engineering

The term stem cell was proposed for scientific use by Russian histologist Alexander Maksimov in 1909. He was the first to suggest the existence of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) with the morphological appearance of a lymphocyte, capable of migrating throughout the blood to micro ecological niches that would allow them to proliferate and differentiate.[1] Tissue engineering as a scientific discipline has shown promising results in the field of dentistry also. Tissue engineering approaches can aid in either the replacement of damaged tooth structures and/or in the repair/regeneration of pulp-dentin complex (regenerative endodontics).

The science of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine has seen tremendous development, especially in the field of stem cell research. Tissue engineering approach requires the three main key elements (triad): Stem cells, scaffold (or matrix) and growth factors (morphogens).[2] These key elements can be used in three principal therapeutic strategies to obtain the desired result. Today stem cell biology is one of the most fascinating areas of science which brings in the hope for improved outcomes by replacing damaged or absent tissues with healthy regenerated tissue.[3] Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) can be found within the cell rich zone of dental pulp. Their embryonic origin, from neural crests, explains their multipotency.[4] The term stem cell was projected by Alexander Maksimov a Russian histologist, during 1908 in congress of hematologic society at Berlin.[5] Stem cells have the potential to renew themselves for long periods through cell division and under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, they can be induced to become cells with special functions.[6] Several studies have been carried out to verify whether stem cells could become a source of stable differentiated cells. These studies have confirmed their capacity to induce tissue formation during the embryonic development and proliferation along with differentiation to generate all other tissues.[7,8,9,10]

By definition the pluripotency of biological compounds describes the ability of certain substances to produce several distinct biological responses whereas multipotency means the ability to differentiate to a limited number of cell fates or into closely related family of cells. Recent advances in the tissue engineering have drawn scientists to test the possibility of tooth engineering and regeneration. However, these biotechnologies are in its initial phase, it is expected to be used to restore missing teeth and replace artificial dental implants.

Researchers have observed that these stem cells act differently than other adult stem cells. These dentally-derived mesenchymal stem cells are capable of extensive proliferation and differentiation, which makes them an important resource of stem cells for regeneration and repair of a multitude of diseased and injured organs and tissues.[10,11] Because of their ability to produce and secrete neurotrophic factors, these stem cells may also be beneficial for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and the repair of motoneurons following the injury. Research works on dental mesenchymal stem cells is expanding at an unprecedented rate. More than 1,000 research studies from institutions around the world have been published since the year 2000 that make reference to the dental stem cells. In the year 2007 alone, over 1,000 research articles were published on Dental Stem Cells.[12] Additionally, over 60 clinical investigations with animals and human volunteers have been published seeking to identify the potential new medical treatments from adult stem cells.[10] Stem cell-based therapies are being investigated for the treatment of many conditions including: Neurodegenerative conditions, liver disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, and for nerve regeneration following the brain or spinal cord injury.

Riccardo and co workers postulated two school of thoughts; one argues that these cells produce a dentin-like tissue,[7] whereas the other research group[11] has demonstrated that these cells are capable of producing bone, both in vitro and in vivo. Beyond natural capacity of response to the injury, dental pulp stem cells are attractive for their potential to differentiate, in vitro, into several cell types including odontoblasts, neural progenitors, chondrocytes, endotheliocytes, adipocytes, smooth muscle cells and osteoblasts.[12,13] The potential application of dental pulp stem cells and tissue engineering in medicine and dentistry in particularly are discussed in the present review.

At present, the mesenchymal stem cell populations having the high proliferative capacity and multi-lineage differentiation have been isolated from the dental tissues.[14,15] These are dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs), periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), dental follicle progenitor stem cells (DFPCs), and stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs). DPSCs and SHEDs originate from the cranial neural crest and express early markers for both mesenchymal and neuroectodermal stem cells.[16,17,18] This explains their multipotency and pluripotency. Sharpe and Young were pioneered the use of stem cells in the dental tissue engineering.[19,20] Various studies have shown that these cells have unique features of stem/progenitor cells having the capacity to differentiate into dentin forming odontoblasts.[21,22] The roots of the third molar are often incomplete at the age of eighteen, therefore these teeth contains a conspicuous pool of undifferentiated cells, resident within the cell rich zone of the dental germ pulp.[23,24] In an in vitro model, Hwang et al. derived DPSCs from supernumerary mesiodens, and it has been seen that DPSCs derived at the stage of crown development are more proliferative than at later stages.[25] Apart from these, the cells obtained from loosely attached tissue at the root apex (SCAP) and periodontal ligament (PDLSC) have been used for bio-root engineering.[26,27,28] More recently, stem cells obtained from the dental tissues have been shown to develop into fat, bone cartilage and neural cells.[29,30]

In addition to their therapeutic use in dentin regeneration, regeneration of periodontal tissues and skeletal articular tissues of craniofacial region, DPSCs were also reported to be used in the treatment of neurotrauma, autoimmune diseases, myocardial infarction, muscular dystrophy and connective tissue damages.[31] This review article is an attempt to highlight main strategies as related to the use of dental pulp stem cells, their characterization, storage, tissue engineering strategies and useful clinical applications in the field of modern dentistry.

Here is the original post:
Imperative Role of Dental Pulp Stem Cells in Regenerative ...

TABLE OF CONTENTS Aug 2012 By: Blake Nicolucci, BSc, DDS2012-08-01

Ive been wondering what could possibly become the next evolution in dental implantology. At present, most dental implant companies have been flogging the same materials, shapes, and coatings and then simply putting their name on the new product. The growth in the number of implant companies in recent years has created greater competition and lower market prices for the dentist. But to excel it is not enough to just be competitive in the market. There must be more research and innovation for a company to remain viable, desirable and ahead of the curve.

Stem cell research is not a new medical entity by any means. There has been extensive research for many years now in the areas of orthopedics, cardiology, neurology and internal medicine. It has only been recently that the dental field has taken a harder look at stem cells and their use not only in promoting more predictable bone grafting but in the reconstruction of the entire dental follicle. Before this, research on stem cells was being concentrated on the healing of diseased and/or traumatized tissues and organs. More recently, stem cells have been used to grow complete and functional organs such as hearts (in mice) and are now being used in an experimental basis to repair heart muscle in human patients who have had massive heart attacks. They are trying to regenerate the dead portion of the ventricular muscle back from its scar tissue state (a result of blood loss after blockage of the LAD artery) to a healed and normal functioning muscle. This therapy is now in clinical trials in Kentucky and California, but it shouldnt be too long before it is established as a viable medical procedure. Toronto has now started a cardiac stem cell program of its own. In the U.S. studies, stem cells are harvested from the septum of the heart (between the atria) and are therefore already in a cardiac ready mode to reproduce cells. These cells are then injected around the scar tissue in the ventricle in some 12 to 15 circumferential positions. The results have been very promising with some patients reportedly having an increased cardiac ejection fraction of up to 50% so that a person with an ejection fraction of 20% could increase their fraction to 30%.

All of this new medical research has stimulated the dental research community to investigate tooth reproduction from stem cells even further. Replacement of the entire tooth (root, crown, pulp, and periodontal structures) has become the focus of research by some of the more state of the art companies who might be afraid that the standard titanium dental implants will become obsolete in the future. Researchers from the Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Helsinki have had overwhelming success in the process of generating teeth in mammals, and it will only be a short time before this is established in humans (please understand that a short time in research standards can translate into decades for you and I).

The process of producing a tooth is very complex and has many different aspects. As such, there are many different approaches taken by the different researchers and research facilities. Stem cells have been extracted from bone marrow and have been found to have osteogenic precursors. These mesenchymal progenitor cells have the potential to differentiate into multiple tissue types such as bone, cartilage, adipose tissue, connective tissue and skeletal muscle.

The statement control of morphogenesis and cyto-differentiation is a challenge to me is an understatement. I tip my hat to all of the researchers who have taken it upon themselves to investigate the regeneration of teeth in humans. At Columbia University Medical Center, Dr. Jeremy Mao is researching a technique in which growth-factor covered three-dimensional scaffolding is being used to act as a cell-homing device. This mesh shaped tooth is implanted into the host tissue, and within nine weeks, significant growth and maturation has occurred. This has been accomplished outside the body (in a Petri dish) and in vivo. Once formation has been completed outside the body, they are then able to transplant the structure to a specific site in the jaw.

What does this mean to me and my practice today? I hope you realize that this is the future of dental implantology. Onward and upward! Progress! Dental implants have been a major part of my life for over 30 years now. This atypical research and development has intrigued me since its inception, and if you are involved in implant dentistry, then you too should be aware of these facts, since this will impact us all in some way in the future! I hope that during my lifetime I will be a part of this new world of dental implants and be able to use stem cells to replace missing teeth in my patients. This is really an exciting frontier! OH

See the original post here:
Stem Cells and Dental Implants - Oral Health Group

Yes, the search included looking for frozen peas or sausage

by KAREN DAVIS, RDH, BSDH

As I listened to a presentation by Provia Labs about the potential to use dental stem cells from extracted teeth to treat various medical conditions, I got a bit teary eyed. My daughter, Madeline, has Crohn's disease, and she was scheduled to have her wisdom teeth extracted. My heart raced as I watched a video about advances in the field of stem cell research for many conditions, including Crohn's disease. The idea of preserving Madeline's dental stem cells from extracted wisdom teeth through the Store-A-Tooth company resonated with me. I didn't know a lot about dental stem cell research at that point, but I knew I didn't want to miss an opportunity should future research provide a pathway to a cure. I contacted the company to learn more about dental stem cell preservation and banking, and made arrangements for Madeline's extracted wisdom teeth not to end up in the trash.

The Store-A-Tooth website by Provia Labs is a great resource to learn more about dental stem cells and ongoing research, and it answered my questions about getting the extracted teeth to the lab. The process almost seemed too easy. However, I managed to complicate things, which at this point I can only laugh about. My first wrong step was in not listening to my daughter, who repeatedly tried to convince me that she really wanted to be put to sleep for her extractions. Upon reviewing her X-rays and consulting with the dentist, I was convinced these would be simple extractions that could be handled with a mild tranquilizer and nitrous oxide. We orchestrated the extraction date immediately following completion of her college semester, and before she was to leave town 10 days later for a wedding.

All arrangements with Provia Labs had been made, and they explained that a box would be shipped to me with the Store-A-Tooth container necessary to ship the extracted teeth to the company. They provided cool packs that I needed to freeze the night before her extractions so that the wisdom teeth could be placed in a secure container for transport. This was to help preserve the integrity of the dental stem cells inside the pulp of the wisdom teeth. I was arriving back in town the night before her appointment, and I felt confident that once I was home I would be able to unpack the box and freeze the cold packs so that I could carry them to the office for the extraction procedure. However, I forgot.

It didn't occur to me that I had completely forgotten my role until 10 minutes before we were to leave for the dental office. Madeline was already groggy from the tranquilizer she had taken, and I transformed into a panicked dental hygienist mom. I searched my freezer for frozen peas, frozen sausage, anything that could keep the dental stem cells cool enough to ship them to Store-A-Tooth.

In route to the dental office I received a calm phone call from Store-A-Tooth wanting to know if I had any questions before the procedure. I was relieved to hear her voice and confessed my mistake about the cold packs. She reassured me that I would have plenty of time to freeze the packs at the dental office since the courier pick-up was a few hours after the extractions.

My daughter proceeded to the treatment room to undergo nitrous oxide while I slipped the cold packs into the freezer. It wasn't too long before the dentist emerged with what I thought must have been the fastest extractions in history, but he informed me that strangely enough, the tranquilizer coupled with my daughter's high anxiety and lack of sleep the night before created a situation in which she had become combative when they tried to give her an injection. Oh my. He recommended we reschedule the extractions with an oral surgeon and IV sedation. I should have listened to my daughter!

I removed the cold packs from the freezer while Madeline inhaled oxygen, and I analyzed my calendar in an attempt to find another time to squeeze in her extractions before she attended the wedding. I remembered what she told me: "Mom, I don't want to look like a chipmunk at the wedding." Almost miraculously, I found an opening that day with an oral surgeon we trusted, so I filled out the registration forms online and gathered up my daughter to drive her to the next office. Before walking out the door, I remembered the cold packs that I had removed from the freezer after the failed extraction attempt. I grabbed the unfrozen cold packs and my daughter, and I called Store-A-Tooth on the way to the next office to ask them to change the courier pick-up to the oral surgeon's office. Unfazed, they got the new address for pick-up, reassured me that I could freeze the cold packs at the new office during the extractions, and that by the time the courier came, they would be cold enough to safely transport the wisdom teeth, preserving the precious stem cells.

While waiting for my daughter during her extractions, it occurred to me that in my haste and panic that morning, I had inadvertently discarded the customized shipping box from Store-A-Tooth to return the container holding the wisdom teeth, cold packs, and Styrofoam container. I checked my watch. The timely recycling service had surely come and retrieved all trash, including the customized items I had thoughtlessly discarded. I knew Madeline would be finishing her procedure within minutes, and I didn't have time to go shopping for a shipping box, so I did what most stressed out dental hygienist moms would do I called her dad.

View original post here:
Finding humor in dental stem cell collection and storage ...

Toothless No More Researchers Using Stem Cells to Grow New Teeth

Polymer scaffolds guide stem cells growth into customized sizes and shapes.

It may be hard to remember what it was like to lose a tooth as a child, but many adults get an unpleasant reminder as they age when their teeth begin to fall out (even those who don't play hockey) and must consider dentures or dental implants. For years, researchers have investigated stem cells in an effort to grow teeth made for a person's own cells. Toward this end, endodontics professor Dr. Peter Murray and colleagues from the College of Dental Medicine at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) have developed methods to control adult stem cell growth toward generating dental tissue and "real" replacement teeth.

The NSU researchers' approach is to extract stem cells from oral tissue, such as inside a tooth itself, or from bone marrow. After being harvested, the cells are mounted to a polymer scaffold in the shape of the desired tooth. The polymer is the same material used in bioreabsorable sutures, so the scaffold eventually dissolves away. Teeth can be grown separately then inserted into a patient's mouth or the stem cells can be grown within the mouth reaching a full-sized tooth within a few months.

So far, teeth have been regenerated in mice and monkeys, and clinical trials with humans are underway, but whether the technology can generate teeth that are nourished by the blood and have full sensations remains to be seen. Teeth present a unique challenge for researchers because the stem cells must be stimulated to grow the right balance of hard tissue, dentin and enamel, while producing the correct size and shape.

As Dr. Murray explains it, humans already have two sets of teeth, baby and adult sets, over the course of their lifetimes, so "All we are trying to do is copy nature and give the person the third option to re-grow their teeth." Not only could this be important for replacing lost teeth, but it could become a standard treatment when extreme orthodontics is necessitated. And if the tooth is malformed or fails, it can be extracted and a new one put into place.

To date, the NSU researchers have received about $1.7 million in grants for their dental stem cell research.

Dr. Murray believes that if they can demonstrate control over tooth re-growth and prove that the technology is safe, these teeth will be the first to see widespread adoption in the US. He also reports that interest has been high from the public and even fellow dentists, as evidenced by the recent selling out of his Regenerative Endodontic Procedures presentation at the American Dental Association conference in Las Vegas.

You can check out a news piece about NSU's research here.

Visit link:
Hill: stem cells grow new teeth 2012 - Singularity HUB

YOU PLAN FOR YOUR CHILDS EDUCATION. PLAN FOR THEIR HEALTHCARE, TOO.

From teaching healthy eating habits to instilling strong values, you already do so much to prepare your child for a happy and healthy life. Banking stem cells may not be as obvious as saving for college, but it could mean just as much to your childs future well-being and quality of life.

For decades, doctors have harnessed the unique ability of stem cells to treat leukemia and genetic blood diseases. Today, over 1,700 clinical studies are under way demonstrating the use of stem cells to treat other diseases, to heal injuries, and to grow replacement tissues like organs, bone, muscle, nerves, blood vessels, and brain cells.

Banking today means your child has the potential to benefit from the advanced therapies of tomorrow.

A SIMPLE AND NON-INVASIVE SOURCE OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS. AND THATS JUST THE START.

There are many reasons why teeth are a great source of stem cells for banking.

The most obvious one is that its easy to collect a baby tooth thats naturally falling out or a wisdom tooth being extracted.

More importantly, the dental pulp in your childs baby and wisdom teeth is an excellent source of mesenchymal stem cells, one of the most well-understood, widely researched and promising types of stem cells.

NOW COMES THE EASY PART.

Banking is a decision you make before your childs teeth come out.

Read more:
Dental Stem Cell Banking | Store-A-Tooth

Stemade is proud to be India's first private dental stem cell bank. This unique concept of dental stem cell banking is brought by Stemade into the Indian terrain. Path breaking advances in stem cell research has made it possible to extract valuable stem cells; the building blocks of every human body, from primary teeth (milk teeth) of children and wisdom teeth. These stem cells are carefully preserved at a stem cell center in a special cryogenic storage facility, thus making it possible for you to bank the smiles of your children, your family and yourself.

A tiny investment like this can help you and your family in the future by giving you the potential to shield them from critical health concerns that may rise in the future. Such as Diabetes Type 1, Wound Healing, Parkinson's, Spinal Cord Injury, MI, MS, and Osteoarthritis to name a few.

By pioneering this technology, Stemade will help in building an entire generation that will be able to face their future confidently. Dental stem cell banking is the first of Stemade's many ventures that will make their breakthrough in the Indian healthcare hub.

Warning & Disclaimer The pages and articles on our website are not meant to imply or support any (non-legalised) stem cell therapies. The articles and/ or links mentioned/ displayed/ included are purely a means to create awareness on how research on dental stem cells is progressing worldwide. Stemade Biotech is not involved in and neither supports any therapy-related aspects. Viewers are advised to consult their doctors in this regard.

See the rest here:
Stemade Biotech - India's first & largest dental stem cell ...

Cambridge/Boston, Mass. May 28, 2014 A Harvard-led team is the first to demonstrate the ability to use low-power light to trigger stem cells inside the body to regenerate tissue, an advance they reported in Science Translational Medicine. The research, led by David J. Mooney, Robert P. Pinkas Family Professor of Bioengineering at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), lays the foundation for a host of clinical applications in restorative dentistry and regenerative medicine more broadly, such as wound healing, bone regeneration, and more.

The team used a low-power laser to trigger human dental stem cells to form dentin, the hard tissue that is similar to bone and makes up the bulk of teeth. Whats more, they outlined the precise molecular mechanism involved, and demonstrated its prowess using multiple laboratory and animal models.

A number of biologically active molecules, such as regulatory proteins called growth factors, can trigger stem cells to differentiate into different cell types. Current regeneration efforts require scientists to isolate stem cells from the body, manipulate them in a laboratory, and return them to the bodyefforts that face a host of regulatory and technical hurdles to their clinical translation. But Mooneys approach is different and, he hopes, easier to get into the hands of practicing clinicians.

Our treatment modality does not introduce anything new to the body, and lasers are routinely used in medicine and dentistry, so the barriers to clinical translation are low, said Mooney, who is also a Core Faculty Member at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard. It would be a substantial advance in the field if we can regenerate teeth rather than replace them.

The team first turned to lead author and dentist Praveen Arany, Ph.D. '11, who is now an Assistant Clinical Investigator at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). At the time of the research, he was a Harvard graduate student and then postdoctoral fellow affiliated with SEAS and the Wyss Institute.

Arany took rodents to the laboratory version of a dentists office to drill holes in their molars, treat the tooth pulp that contains adult dental stem cells with low-dose laser treatments, applied temporary caps, and kept the animals comfortable and healthy. After about 12 weeks, high-resolution x-ray imaging and microscopy confirmed that the laser treatments triggered the enhanced dentin formation.

It was definitely my first time doing rodent dentistry, said Arany, who faced several technical challenges in performing oral surgery on such a small scale. The dentin was strikingly similar in composition to normal dentin, but did have slightly different morphological organization. Moreover, the typical reparative dentin bridge seen in human teeth was not as readily apparent in the minute rodent teeth, owing to the technical challenges with the procedure.

This is one of those rare cases where it would be easier to do this work on a human, Mooney said.

Next the team performed a series of culture-based experiments to unveil the precise molecular mechanism responsible for the regenerative effects of the laser treatment. It turns out that a ubiquitous regulatory cell protein called transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-1) played a pivotal role in triggering the dental stem cells to grow into dentin. TGF-1 exists in latent form until activated by any number of molecules.

Here is the chemical domino effect the team confirmed: In a dose-dependent manner, the laser first induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are chemically active molecules containing oxygen that play an important role in cellular function. The ROS activated the latent TGF-1complex which, in turn, differentiated the stem cells into dentin.

View post:
Researchers use light to coax stem cells to repair teeth ...

U.S. researchers succeed in repairing corneas using dental stem cells
Scientists in the U.S. believe stem cells inside your teeth could one day help repair injured corneas, a problem that affects millions of people around the world. Whats promising is that...

By: ARIRANG NEWS

Go here to read the rest:
U.S. researchers succeed in repairing corneas using dental stem cells - Video

http://www.toothbank.com
Dental Stem Cell Banking. Secure your families future by storing your dental stem cells.

By: Jake Isenbarger

Go here to see the original:
http://www.toothbank.com - Video

Dr Bindiya Bansal on Dental Stem Cells
Dr Bindiya Bansal explaining the importance of Dental Stem Cells preservation.

By: StemadeBiotech

More here:
Dr Bindiya Bansal on Dental Stem Cells - Video

Stemade Corporate Video - Dental Stem Cells
Know more about stem cells how preserving them can safe guard the future of our children.

By: StemadeBiotech

Read this article:
Stemade Corporate Video - Dental Stem Cells - Video